Community

Your local MEC store is more than just a place to get gear – it’s a hub for your outdoor community.

Local events

Join a meet-up group, sign up for a ride or race, and learn from experts at in-store clinics. Find MEC events near you to run, bike or gain new skills. Our events are low cost (or even free) with a fun vibe and friendly people.

Grants and donations

Our grant program has given tens of millions of dollars to conservation and the outdoor community in Canada – everything from product donations and advocacy projects to activity funding and land acquisitions. Find out if your community project is eligible and how to apply for support.

Free display space

Not-for-profit groups and local clubs that share MEC values can use our floor space to tell people what’s going on. Let people know about outdoor issues, collect input on plans, or just get the word out about your club. For more info, please email nvn_oc2@mec.ca or phone the store.

Free meeting room

It’s small, but it does the trick. Available for use by local outdoor clubs, environmental groups and NGOs that have a similar mandate as MEC. Please email nvn_oc2@mec.ca at least a month before your event to reserve the space.

Bike shop

Phone: 604.990.4417 ext 206

Our bike mechanics can do it all, from installing fenders to building wheels from scratch. Not sure what work your bike needs? Bring it in for a free safety inspection and we’ll let you know. Call us to set up a bike shop visit. Small repairs can be done while you shop.

Bike fitting

Optimize performance and comfort in a bike fitting session. A free fitting is included when you purchase a new bike for $990 or more.

MTB specialists and demo rides

When you’re ready to go deep with bike talk, you can book an appointment with an MTB specialist. Just call to set one up. You can also try out an Intense mountain bike, call us to set up a test ride.

Tune-up packages

Parts are not included in tune-up prices. Most tune-ups take 2–4 business days.

For when your bike hasn’t had a tune-up after a season of active riding or 2 seasons of light use: noisy drivetrain, imprecise shifting, loose feeling brakes, or generally loose feeling components. Includes everything in minor adjustment, plus:

For when your bike hasn't had a tune-up after a few seasons of regular riding or it hasn't been use for over a year: poor shifting, soft brakes, or wheels aren’t straight. Includes everything in basic tune-up, plus:

Hubs disassembled, cleaned and inspected; repacked with new bearings and grease

Ski services

Professional ski and snowboard shop services to set you up for the season. Some services may not be available year-round. Call us to set up a visit.

When you buy 2 or more of the big 3 items (skis, boots or bindings), we’ll mount your bindings for free. This offer applies to all types of ski equipment sold at MEC, and proof of purchase is required. If you’re shopping online, you can take advantage of this deal by placing your order via phone at 1.888.847.0770 or 604.876.6221. If you already have your equipment or purchased your gear at another retailer and would like us to mount your bindings, please contact the store directly.

Gear rentals

Some gear may only be available to rent at certain times of the year. When there’s snow on the ground, that’s usually when we swap out summer gear with winter gear (like skis or snowshoes). Give us a call if you have any questions about what’s available.

*Available to rent year round

Watersports gear

Daily rate

Weekly rate

Plastic sea kayak

$40

$200

Double fiberglass sea kayak

$60

$300

Stand-up paddleboard

$35

$175

Stand-up paddleboard (inflatable)

$35

$175

Note: All boats/paddleboards are rented with paddles, PFDs and safety gear, except the boat-only whitewater kayak. You require a roof rack for boat transportation.

Repairs and recycling

Visit the Member Service Desk if you have gear to recycle or repair.

Gear Swap

Buy, sell or swap your outdoor gear with the MEC Gear Swap. It’s our way of encouraging people to recycle their gear. Sometimes we host swap events in store or at events – check the events site for info.

Repairs

Zippers, jackets, packs, bikes, snowshoes – if it needs repairing, there’s a good chance we can help fix it (or know someone who can). Everything you buy from MEC is covered by our Rocksolid Guarantee. Make sure your gear is clean before you bring it by for us to take a look.

Recycling

If you bought any of the items below at MEC, you can bring them back to our store for recycling:

Batteries (no broken or corroded ones please).

Bike tires (no tubes) – they can get ground up for tarmac or playground surfaces.

Due to safety concerns, we do not accept used flammable goods, including camping gas canisters, stove fuel, flares, bear bangers and bear spray. Please contact your local waste management office to find out how to properly dispose of these items.

Have a question about something that’s not on the list above? Give us a call or contact your local municipal recycling program.

Green building features

Our MEC North Vancouver store is one of our signature green buildings. It opened its doors in 2012, and is officially designed as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified building. Here are some of the green features:

The roof and walls make up a highly efficient building envelope through the use of structural insulated panels that cut down on heat loss because of leaking air. This provides significantly more thermal insulation than conventional buildings.

To cut down on materials required, there are minimal floor and ceiling coverings.

To cut down on energy required for heating and cooling, a concrete slab floor acts as a giant radiator that’s warmed or cooled by a geo-exchange system in which fluid is pumped through embedded piping. Predictive controls preheat or cool the slab based on forecasted weather.

The building doesn’t use conventional ducting; the entire first floor acts as one large air duct (or plenum) requiring less fan energy.

The sawtooth-shaped roof and clerestory windows are oriented so the less-intense northern light can help naturally enter and reflect off the ceiling to flood the retail floor with natural light.

The lights we do have turn off automatically when there’s enough natural light to save energy (for both the lights and the energy needed to cool heat from the bulbs).

The non-potable water system is supplied by an onsite well, and is used for toilets and to water the native species of drought-tolerant plants.

Low-flow fixtures reduce overall water consumption.

Captured precipitation (stormwater) is held and filtered through bioswales, rain gardens and permeable pavers before it goes back to the water table. There’s no connection to the municipal storm sewer.

Landscaping seamlessly integrates with the nearby biking and hiking trails in Lynnmouth Park.

Electric vehicle charging stations have reserved parking spots.

Like all MEC buildings, we’re proud to say that this store is carbon neutral. We purchase Green Electricity Certificates and Green Natural Gas Certificates from Bullfrog Power, which means that Bullfrog procures renewable energy (wind, micro-hydro and biogas) on our behalf for electricity and natural gas.

We're a retail co-operative, owned by everyone who shops here. We exist to inspire, achieve and connect. Outside is our place. Canada is our backyard. And we are 5 million people, all members of MEC. Read more